J. H. Matthews:

An Inventory of His Papers in the Manuscript Collection at the Harry
Ransom Humanities Research Center

Creator:

Matthews, J. H., 1930-1987

Title:

J. H. Matthews Papers

Dates:

1950-1987

Extent:

17 boxes, 5 oversize flat files (7.14 linear feet)

Abstract:

The J. H. Matthews Papers are
composed primarily of correspondence, typescripts, notes, clippings, printed
materials, and visual materials that document Matthews' research, publications,
and
academic career from 1950 to 1987. The papers highlight Matthews' work on surrealism
in literature and the visual arts, his extensive correspondence with surrealist
authors and artists, and his teaching and professional responsibilities.

Language:

Materials are primarily in English and French, but also
include items in Spanish, Czech, Italian,
German, and Dutch.

The University of Texas at Austin, Harry Ransom Humanities
Research Center

John Herbert Matthews was born on September 11, 1930, in Swansea, Wales, to John
Oswald Matthews and the former Elizabeth Mabel Morgan. He earned a degree in French
from the University of Wales in 1951 and completed a doctoral degree at the
University of Montpellier in 1955. He married Jeanne Brooks on July 23, 1955,
and
they had three children.

In 1956, Matthews accepted an appointment as an assistant lecturer in French at the
University of Exeter and the following year became a lecturer at the University
of
Leicester. He then moved to the United States in 1963 to serve as a professor
of
romance languages at the University of Minnesota. In 1965, he became a professor
of
French at Syracuse University, a position he held until his death.

Matthews was a prolific author, and most of his twenty-five books and numerous
articles focus on surrealism and its manifestations in literature and the visual
arts. His first book on surrealism was An Introduction to
Surrealism (1965). In the 1970s, he began to further investigate
surrealism in painting, photography, and film, producing works such as The Imagery of Surrealism (1977), Surrealism and American Feature Films (1979), and Eight Painters: The Surrealist Context (1982). In 1971,
Matthews was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in university criticism for his book
Surrealism and Film. He also edited two
anthologies of surrealist works, An Anthology of French
Surrealist Poetry (1966) and The Custom House of
Desire: A Half-Century of Surrealist Short Stories (1975). Matthews
often chose to study lesser-known surrealist authors and artists, including Joyce
Mansour, Benjamin Péret, and Jehan Mayoux. In addition to his work on surrealism,
he
published works about Émile Zola, Guy de Maupassant, Louis-Ferdinand Céline, and
other nineteenth- and twentieth-century authors. In recognition of his distinguished
record of scholarly research and publication, the University of Wales conferred
upon
him a Doctor of Letters degree in 1977.

During his time at the University of Minnesota, Matthews served as an associate
editor of Symposium, a journal in modern languages.
He became editor of the journal in 1965 and held this position until his death.

Matthews died on February 8, 1987, in Lake Placid, New York. His final published work
was The Surrealist Mind, which appeared posthumously
in 1991.

The papers of J. H. Matthews consist of correspondence, typescripts, notes,
clippings, printed materials, visual materials, and published works that document
Matthews’ research, publications, and academic career from 1950 to 1987. The papers
are arranged in five series: I. Correspondence, 1962-1987; II. Works, 1957-1986;
III. Research Materials, 1955-1986; IV. Teaching and Related Materials, 1955-1986;
and V. Works by Others, 1950-1987.

Series I., Correspondence, consists primarily of letters Matthews received from
European and North American surrealist artists and authors, as well as scholars,
curators, and publishers. The letters from artists and authors often address their
work and personal affairs, describe happenings in surrealist circles, and provide
commentary on Matthews’ publications. The correspondence is primarily in English
and
French, but there are also several letters in Spanish and Italian. A limited number
of copies of letters written by Matthews is included in the collection. The
correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent last name.

The bulk of Series II., Works, consists of typescripts of Matthews’ books, articles,
reviews, and lectures. Also included is correspondence with authors, artists,
and
publishers related to Matthews’ publications, often regarding use permissions
and
editorial questions. This series also contains original artwork and photographs
that
Matthews selected to illustrate his works. The material in this series is arranged
alphabetically by title of the work.

Undated handwritten notes, outlines, and clippings comprise the bulk of Series III.,
Research Materials, and Series IV., Teaching and Related Materials. Also included
in
the teaching materials are course syllabi, course assignments, and slides, as
well
as documents related to Matthews’ committee and editorial work at Syracuse
University. The research and teaching materials are arranged alphabetically by
subject, according to Matthews’ own folder titles wherever possible.

Series V., Works by Others, is composed of scholarly articles, surrealist tracts and
publications, and visual materials. The scholarly articles are primarily offprints
from academic journals in literature, language, and the visual arts, and are often
autographed by the author with a note to Matthews. The surrealist publications
include tracts, pamphlets, and posters from North America and Europe, in English
and
French. The visual materials consist of photographs, film stills, slides, and
negatives of works by surrealist and other artists, as well as a limited number
of
original drawings.

Also located at the Ransom Center are a number of volumes and periodicals from
Matthews’ personal library, the majority of which relate to surrealism, French
literature, and the visual arts.

Materials transferred to other Ransom Center collections include sound recordings
(twelve tape reels and two audio cassettes containing recordings of Matthews,
material about surrealist authors, and recordings of the Goon
Show) and published materials (exhibit catalogs in Czech, German, and
Dutch; a two-volume copy of Crapouillot: Dictionnaire des
contemporains; works of fiction by Ian Breakwell; and assorted
periodicals).